Go-kart racing
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HUNDREDS of go-kart enthusiasts are expected to hit Griffith this weekend for the first round of the new Southern Star series at the White Road track.
More than 150 entrants are tipped to battle it out under lights tomorrow night and on Sunday morning to kick off the tournament, which runs across five race meetings spread throughout country NSW.
"With them, you'll probably draw four people per car that come with them - family, pit crew. It brings a fair few people to the town," Griffith Kart Club president Ashley Woolner said.
Many have been attracted not just by the opportunity to secure coveted competition points, but also to race on the respected Griffith track, which only narrowly missed out on hosting rights for the state titles this year.
Griffith is the only track on the Southern Star series with lights that enable night racing, creating an unrivalled atmosphere.
"We're the only track in regional NSW with lights so that's a bit of a drawcard for us," Woolner said.
"We're right up there in terms of facilities.
"We've got a covered outgrid as well and there's only one other track that's got that.
"That'll come in handy this weekend, to be sitting in the shade in your hot suit before you start - it eases the burden a bit."
Around 30 local racers will be part of the 150-strong contingent across the 17 different grades.
Four Griffith races took out their respective grades last year in the Southern Star series and will have designs on doing so again in 2014.
But with entrants coming from right around the eastern seaboard - from Queensland, Sydney and Melbourne to regional centres such as Albury, Wollongong and Newcastle - the competition is likely to be at an all-time high.
Entries are open until 8.30am tomorrow morning with spectators encouraged to come along and take in the action.